Man sentenced to death over Coptic Christian killings in Egypt

Egyptian authorities have sentenced a man to death for killing six Coptic Christians and a Muslim policeman earlier this month, reports Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

The BBC reports that Mohamed Ahmed Hussein was found guilty of shooting the group outside a midnight Mass for Coptic Christmas in Naga Hamady, southern Egypt.

The attack was thought to be revenge for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old Muslim girl by a Christian man.

According to the BBC, the court ruling comes two weeks after a suicide bomber killed 23 people at a Coptic church in Alexandria.

The BBC, citing AFP news agency reports, says Hussein, also known as Hamam Kamouni, was found guilty of "pre-meditated murder" of the seven dead, and with "intimidating citizens."

Two other men are also on trial for the shooting. The court said the verdict against them would be announced next month. All three pleaded not guilty.

The AFP stated that Anba Kirolos, the Coptic bishop of Naga Hammady, said his congregation was "satisfied" with the ruling.

But defense lawyer Alaa Abu Zeid said the trial had been influenced by the Alexandria attack, the BBC said.

Coptic churches in Egypt have been on high alert since the January 6 bombing. Coptic Christians make up 10 percent of Egypt's 80 million population.

The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says the case has caused continued bitterness in the community, partly because of the delay in bringing the men to justice, but also because of Hussein's alleged links to a senior MP in the ruling party.

The BBC explained that Egypt's Copts have often complained of harassment and discrimination, and argue that attacks on them go unpunished or result in light sentences.

Twenty-three people were killed and 70 injured as worshippers were leaving midnight Mass at al-Qiddissin church to bring in the New Year.

The attack was condemned in Egypt and abroad -- President Hosni Mubarak said it bore the hallmark of "foreign hands" seeking to destabilize Egypt.

The BBC’s correspondent goes on to say that no group has said it carried out the attack, and there has been little progress in the investigation.

The report also states the government denies discriminating against Copts, but the head of the Church, Pope Shenouda III, has urged officials to do more to address their concerns.

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TAGS: Egypt Mohamed Ahmed Hussein Coptic Christian killings persecution anti-Christian violence

[01/17/2011]

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